As I finished the last sentence of a recent workshop detailing the challenges of locating our African Diaspora ancestors—many of whom survived the horrific voyages across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans—I paused. It occurred to me that while much of my research involves serious and often painful history, there is another side to their lives.
I paused.
Our ancestors experienced hardship, but hardship was not their only experience.
I know from my own character and life that my ancestors had to have a sense of humor. Perhaps that’s why I have always loved laughter myself. Years ago, I even performed in two student productions at Chicago’s renowned Second City Theatre, famous for launching generations of comedians.
Surely my ancestors — and yours — laughed. I’ve heard the stories and as a young child, I experienced the natural humor and fun-loving nature of my paternal aunt, Dr. Beverly Ann Wead Blackburn Jones.
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I didn’t have to imagine what ancestral joy looked like. I saw it in my beloved Aunt Beverly. I recall how my ancestor aunt used her effervescing smile and quick wit to easily lift the mood of any room she entered. This highly regarded educator and community transformer dealt with serious matters and was also a terrific storyteller. As my father, Dr. Rodney S. Wead, described his sister, “she was always the life of the party.”
It was often said that my aunt’s light-hearted attributes were derived from my namesake and great-grandmother, Ann Crum Green. My great-grandmother would keep us laughing by changing her voice to mimic others and blurting funny one-liners that could not be challenged by anyone because she was my paternal family;’s matriarch. Great-grandmother Ann was my Aunt Beverly’s maternal grandmother and likely sparked the humor touch in her. Ann Green was born at the dawn of the 20th century, in the late 1800s, and spent her adult life as a house servant and laundress.
They teased each other. Danced. Dressed up. Fell in love. Gossiped. Told outrageous stories. Sang too loudly. Cooked something everybody wanted. Had nicknames nobody could explain. Took photographs in their best clothes. Went to picnics. Played cards. Courted. Celebrated weddings. Sat on porches. Traveled. Joined clubs. Showed off.
And, undoubtedly, they occasionally got on one another’s last nerve!
More than oppression
African Diaspora genealogy contains difficult truths. Our ancestors experienced hardship, but hardship was not their only experience. They also experienced love, humor, friendship, faith, ambition, creativity, family, food, music, travel, community, accomplishment—and ordinary days that mattered.
